Would you trust a person that says they’re a doctor? Is someone recognized as a doctor because they’re passionate about medicine? Or would you hire a doctor that has passed the necessary medical boards, tests, and requirements set out by a regulating body? I think we can all agree on what the answer is. Why is this being discussed in an auto detailing blog, though?
Auto detailing was, for years, either a body shop that polished your vehicle for you, the neighborhood kids that washed your car, or a guy that came to your office space once a month to clean cars. That, however, is in the process of change. People differentiate themselves by saying they have ‘passion’ or are ‘perfectionists’. That’s fine. It’s marketing. But do they really know what they’re doing?
Detailing is in the process of becoming a recognized trade. As such, it will be along the same lines as an electrician, plumber, or mechanic; and will require testing to become one.
It is still possible to recognize a skilled and qualified detailing professional while official government testing and regulation is in the works by asking if they are either recognized by the International Detailing Association (IDA) as ‘Certified’ or ‘Skills Validated’? Why is this important, though?
The International Detailing Association (IDA) is the acting governing body of the detailing industry; much akin to ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Certification for Mechanics. The IDA consists of industry professionals that make up an executive board. This board organizes and holds training, certification, and continued education events to ensure that detailing professionals meet, exceed, and stay current with industry best practice in order to ensure that people are receiving professional care for their vehicles that complies with industry standards. In essence, they’re making sure that people aren’t receiving substandard care for their vehicles and creating a way to differentiate between trained professionals and those that are not.
Look for an IDA Membership Logo, Skills Validation, or Certified Detailer to know that you’re receiving work and skill that has been scrutinized by industry professionals as a way to ensure that you’re receiving quality work. Don’t settle for anything less because we all know that “a sweet deal is often times met with the bitter taste of poor quality”.